A painful experience I had of recent made me finally stick to the principle of spending money wisely that I learnt years back from Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Let me share how it finally cured me of financial indiscipline.

It was a very painful experience. So intense. I pushed and I pushed. It felt like I wasn’t going to leave that place alive. I had exhausted all my strength, but if I dared to rest, what I was pushing would crawl right back inside.

No nurse, no drip, no one at home to help induce anything. It was just me — me and this pain. To aid my delivery, I tried different postures, shifting and adjusting, just for what was disturbing me inside to come out. But nothing worked.

In that moment of struggle, I wished I could rewind time. If I had known, I would have rejected everything they offered me at Yemi’s wedding party, my former classmate. I just didn’t want her to know what I was really passing through. I wanted to show her that I had also “made it” in life.

Imagine paying ₦250K for Asoebi. Then renting the latest Lexus for ₦150K — just to show off. And yes, I still sprayed money at the party. I know you’re thinking that I’m rich, but I’m nothing close to it. Everything I spent to appear “big” at the wedding was borrowed.

After spending all that, how could I allow any plate pass me by untouched? I ate everything. Everything. I mean… I tasted Asaro (yam porridge). Then, what’s the name of that other thing sef? Ehen! Abacha (African Salad)! I mixed them together. My stomach was saying no, but my mouth kept saying yes. I didn’t leave one thing untouched.

And now, here I am.

Honestly, it’s high time I stop living this fake big-girl life. Borrowing money for parties, just to “belong.” I’m not big anything. I dey use shalanga (pit latrine) for my side. Na one room I dey live. Wetin dey do me sef na how I wan take pay the money back! God abeg!

it’s just very painful that I  borrowed this  money from LAPO. I told them I wanted to start a small business. But I don’t even know how the money vanished — until it remained just 50k. How I wan explain this one naw? That I spent 450K at a three-hour party? Omo… I just have to work hard to…

Knock knock knock!

“Aunty Bimbo! Come out now. Are you giving birth ni? You’ve been inside since. Na only you wan shit? Come out o!”

Ah. It was like the thing inside heard the knock. It started coming out. I could see its head… black. It was coming, it was coming!

Woof! Finally, it came out. Long, multicolored; black, yellow, some green, and red pepper flakes. So this was the demon troubling my stomach.

Relieved, I washed my bumbum and quickly stepped out.

“Aunty Bimbo! Come back here! You’re very wicked. Very very wicked! You no give me out of the food wey you chop o, but you leave your shit for me.”

“Sorry, I forgot.” This girl does not even know what is on my head. How am I going to use 50k to start a business and pay my 500k loan in just a month?

“You always forget to flush, but you never forget to refill your belle. Abeg, go flush joor!”

Dear Lord, I promise not to waste my money just to please people again. So help me, Lord. Amen.

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About Author

Ifeoluwa

Ifeoluwa Oshinowo is a passionate story-weaver and creative writer, as well as a student of the English language.

She has a deep interest in crafting stories that reflect the Christian faith and inspire the renewal of the mind. More than just putting words on a page, she creates narratives that aim to touch hearts, encourage reflection, and spark transformation.

IfeOluwa believes her writing is not only for the present but also for generations to come. Beyond the pen, she enjoys traveling—an experience that broadens her perspective and fuels her creativity. Each journey offers fresh insight and a richer tapestry from which to draw her stories.

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